Irish horses dominated the Royal Ascot last week. So, Tom and Rich head to Ireland and the Curragh for the weekend.
Curragh Racecourse
SATURDAY
Race 3: Airlie Stud Stakes
Race 4: Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes
Race 5: Cairn Community Games Pretty Polly Stakes
SUNDAY
Race 2: GAIN Railway Stakes
Race 4: Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap
Race 6: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
Guaranteed Tip Sheet Free Track of the Day: https://www.guaranteedtipsheet.com/index.aspx?afid=hrt
Free Curragh Horse Racing Picks
22 to 1 Tom’s Curragh Tips and Comments
SATURDAY
Race 1
Barronstown Stud Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden (2yo) 7f
2 – Bernard Shaw
6 – Daler
13 – Rock Of Chashel
Race 2
Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes Handicap (3yo+) 6f
7 – Dontspoilasale
9 – Duplantis
3 – Rahmi
Race 3
Airlie Stud Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (2yo) 6f
1 – American Bar – Draw 9
She blew the start in her first race and went on to win. She went off the favorite, and the jockey’s comments after the race were very positive. She looks like a sprinter and may even run a better race than last time.
8 – January – Draw 10
She won by a head in her last start as the 1-2 favorite after running second to Heavens Gate in her first start. In both races, she appeared to be a bit green, especially in the last race when she made the lead. She still has some learning to do.
2 – Barnavara – Draw 1
She was too keen in her last race at Naas in a group 3 and ran fourth by two and three-quarters lengths to an impressive winner at Royal Ascot, Fairy Godmother. Her maiden win was by four lengths on the soft going at the Curragh. They skipped Royal Ascot to run here, hmmm.
Race 4
Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes (Group 3) (3yo+) 1m2f
7 – Jan Brueghel – Draw 2
The comments from Aiden O’Brien on this horse are interesting. He is a complex horse; it takes time, and he may turn into a good horse. Maturity is a significant factor in some horses. In May, he won his maiden race by eight lengths at ten furlongs on the good going. The comment was promising. The placement in the group 3 race is an excellent progression to see what they have in this horse.
2 – Bolster – Draw 6
He won his first two starts, one in 2022 and one in June 2023, and then was severely beaten in his next two starts at Royal Ascot and Newmarket. He was laid off until April of this year and won both his starts at the class 2 level. Shipping him for this race is an exciting move to see if they can get some black type.
3 – Chazzesmee – Draw 7
His last race has a perfect excuse for a lousy effort: a rival jockey’s whip hit him on the nose. The race before in a class 2 handicap at Doncaster, he ran fifth as the favorite and came back lame. He won his first start at the Curragh by a length. This is a class rise for him and if he can return to his first of the year race, he has a chance.
Race 5
Cairn Community Games Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) (3yo+) 1m2f
3 – Lumiere Blue – Draw 6
She was utterly overmatched in her last race against the males against a top-class horse in White Birch. After running sixth in the Breeder’s Cup Fillies & Mares Turf, this was her first run of the season. She needed the run and back, and with her kind, she will have to return to the winner’s enclosure.
1 – Bluestocking – Draw 3
She did it quickly when she returned to the races with a win at York in group 2 against a small field. Her last two races of last season were two seconds, but she was missing in both races by a neck. Will she finally get that group 1 race today? She’s ready and has good chance.
6 – Tasmania – Draw 8
this will be her first start of the season after three good efforts in France last season (one race wasn’t so good). She won her maiden by a neck and finished the season with a win in a listed race. she ran a strong race in the Prix du Diane last year for she fits with this group of runners.
Race 6
Kildare Village Ladies Derby Handicap (4yo+) 1m2f
14 – San Martino
1 – Good Heavens
5 – Jungle Cove
Race 7
Molton Brown Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden (3yo+) 1m
12 – Lucky Melody
2 – Reclaim
5 – Galen
Race 8
La Celia Wines Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden (3yo) 7f
4 – John Steinbeck
2 – Emerald Eclipse
1 – Arnaman
SUNDAY
Race 1
Paddy Power ‘From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast’ Handicap (Premier Handicap) (3yo) 1m1f
5 – Soldier’s Empire
4 – Sharinay
7 – Thor’s Hammer
Race 2
GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2) (2yo) 6f
6 – The Strikin Viking – Draw 6
A winner at York in his first start at six furlongs by two and a quarter lengths. It was a nice win off a breeze-up purchase for $65k. I think against this field and the way he won, he’s going to win.
1 – Arizona Blaze – Draw 4
Race by himself along the rail at Royal Ascot to run third by one and a quarter lengths. He won a group 3 race at the Curragh, and his maiden was on heavy going. He ran second to Whistlejack in the listed race. With four race experiences and a solid trip, he could make a nice run at the end.
7 – Tunbridge Well – Draw 2
He won his second start at the Curragh by over two and three-quarters. He learned from his first start, when he dwelt at the beginning, sat second, and came on for the win after a really good start. He will continue to improve and may be the favorite here.
Race 3
Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes (Listed Race) (3yo+) 6f
1 – Commanche Falls
8 – My Mate Alfie
4 – Ano Syra
Race 4
Dubai Duty-Free Rockingham Handicap (Premier Handicap) (3yo+) 5f
14 – Kendall Roy – Draw 3
He didn’t show much in his first three starts, losing by a combined 43 lengths. Then the light came on, and he won his final start of 2023 by half a length. After his layoff, he returned to the races with three win efforts and was second in the other race. This is a move up for the 3yo, but he’s in superb form, and the five furlongs is his distance.
3 – Twilight Jet – Draw 2
His first of the season sucked, showed speed, then dropped back with one furlong to go. His second start was missing by a neck in a listed race at five furlongs. He’s been running against better company and taking a drop in class for this handicap. Run like last time; he wins or is in the money.
5 – So Majestic – Draw 17
Her last three races have been against the listed company at five furlongs. She ran third twice and out of the money in the other race. She drops back to the handicap level, but she hasn’t won in a long time. I don’t think she will today, but she is good enough to be in the money. Post position sucks.
Race 5
Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes (Listed Race) (3yo+) 1m
2 – Dunum
9 – Azada
7 – Mundi
Race 6
Dubai Duty-Free Irish Derby (Group 1) (Colts & Fillies) (3yo) 1m4f
6 – Matsuri – Draw 2
He’s had three runs and has improved each time. He started with two runs last season with a second and a win. All-weather all-win by a neck was a strong effort, and he returned this season with an eight-length win at Leicester. The trainer feels he will like the conditions run big at the Curragh, and so do I.
1 – Ambiente Friendly – Draw 6
After his excellent Lingfield run, he came into the Epsom Derby with a good chance at 9/2 to win. The City of Troy came to life off his last run and won by two three-quarter lengths. Off that run, he should be the favorite in this race. No City of Troy today.
3 – Grosvenor Square – Draw 1
He needed his last race with a third-place run at Chester. He ran well as a 2yo with two wins and a third. Now, with a race in hand and at this distance, he should be at the top of his game, and he is a horse wanting more distance. Big effort today
Race 7
Dubai Duty-Free Derby Festival Handicap (Premier Handicap) (3yo+) 1m
3 – State Actor
15 – May Night
2 – Blues Emperor
Race 8
Dubai Duty-Free Summer Fillies Handicap (Premier Handicap) (3yo+) 7f
12 – Talia
2 – Dance Night Andday
5 – Kayhana
Race 9
Dubai Duty-Free Irish EBF Ragusa Handicap (Premier Handicap) (4yo+) 1m4f
4 – Saturn
11 – Pinot Gris
8 – Lot Of Joy
Rich’s Curragh Ranks and Analysis
SATURDAY
Race 3: Airlie Stud Stakes
3 – CALIFORNIA DREAMER – has performed against the best competition
6 – FIERY LUCY – ran the highest rated race last out and it wasn’t close
5 – EASY MOVER – her winning 6f time is tops
9 – TRULY ENCHANTING – Moore/O’Brien tried her luck in the G2 at Ascot
Race 4: Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes
7 – JAN BRUEGHEL – improvement from debut would be enough
6 – ECUREUIL SECRET – best race was his debut – some rest could be beneficial
1 – SELF BELIEF – his top performance was his lone 2nd up and the last was close enough
8 – WENDLA – coming off a G3 win and 3SP# increases in a row
Race 5: Cairn Community Games Pretty Polly Stakes
2 – EMILY UPJOHN – might have the most upside in the race
1 – BLUESTOCKING – probably going to be the heavy favorite – coming off a dominate win
5 – STAY ALERT – solid run in a G1 at the Curragh on a good track – his last race would be a winner
8 – FRANCOPHONE – upped his speed figure in 3 straight and just one off race in six
SUNDAY
Race 2: GAIN Railway Stakes
6 – THE STRIKIN VIKING – second race improvement would be enough, debut was good enough
7 – TUNBRIDGE WELLS – strong run in his second start – another step forward would be another win
1 – ARIZONA BLAZE – has a G3 win at the Curragh and just missed in a G2 at the Royal Ascot
2 – HENRI MATISSE – another where typical second race gains would put him in contention
Race 4: Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap
14 – KENDALL ROY (GB) – if running times mean anything – she looks like the fastest
8 – LITTLE QUEENIE – a fast race last out in first up, resume says major move forward possible
10 – STURLASSON – last two were solid – repeat either in the third up or better and she is a strong contender
3 – TWILIGHT JET – peak race last out or a horse that found a new level
Race 6: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
6 – MATSURI – maybe asking too much versus some of these – comment “rather impressive” in winning last out – if he is any better in 2nd up
5 – LOS ANGELES – a bounce back race could be coming as it looks like he prefers good footing and caught a yielding track last out
1 – AMBIENTE FRIENDLY – is the one to beat according to the odds maker at even money
3 – GROSVENOR SQUARE – both Curragh races were solid enough
